Amapiano stars TxC makes BET history as the DJ duo claims major US award

News24

2 days ago

South African amapiano duo TxC are the first DJ duo to win Best New International Act at the 2025 BET Awards.
The award shared with Brazil's Ajuliacosta continues SA's strong presence at the long-standing awards ceremony following Makhadzi's 2024 win.
Industry leaders highlight African music's growing global influence and commercial potential.
South African amapiano duo TxC made history at the 2025 BET Awards, becoming the first DJ duo ever to be recognised in the Best New International Act category, jointly winning with Brazilian newcomer Ajuliacosta.
Tarryn Reid and Clairise Hefke – collectively known as TxC – accepted their award at the Peacock Theatre in Los Angeles, marking another milestone for South African music on the global stage.
The win cements amapiano's growing international influence and follows South African singer Makhadzi's victory in the 2024 ceremony in the Viewer's Choice: Best New International Act category.
The Best New International Act category featured impressive South African representation, with Dlala Thukzin and Maglera Doe Boy also receiving nominations alongside artists from Nigeria, the UK, Tanzania, France, and Brazil.
Prior to departing for Los Angeles, TxC was honoured with a send-off celebration at which industry leaders praised their groundbreaking achievement.
READ | SA's Tyla, Maglera Doe Boy and Dlala Thukzin strike a chord with 2025 BET nods
Monde Twala, senior vice president and general manager at Paramount Africa and BET Lead, sees TxC's success as part of a larger movement of African musical excellence gaining global recognition.
'For me, it's about culture and storytelling. If you look at the continent, Africa has great talent. Music and the drumbeat are our anchor, rhythm, and vibe,' said Twala.
We are the new frontier – it's Africa's time to shine on the global stage. Our music is from an Afrobeats perspective and an amapiano perspective. Hip hop did it, too – the AKAs have won international awards, and the Casspers have been nominated in the past.
Twala highlighted a growing list of African artists making international waves, including Diamond Platnumz, Tiwa Savage, and many others, creating unprecedented opportunities for emerging talent.
When asked about African music's global significance, Twala drew focus to the continent's cultural richness as its unique selling point.
'What African culture brings is gold right now. We are magic, but I think it comes from our diversity. If you look at how broad this continent is, all the countries and their vastness, and the dynamics in terms of tribes and languages, we are so dynamic, colourful, and exciting. That's the edge we bring to the world,' he explained.
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Reflecting on South Africa's growing BET Awards presence, he noted past successes from artists like Black Coffee, Babes Wodumo, AKA Nasty C, and Tyla's recent triumph.
'It's beautiful to see amazing talent male, female, young, old – being able to represent the continent,' he said.
Young people today must focus on how they can build their brands beyond borders, collaborate with artists across the continent, create business in music outside South Africa, and earn in dollars.
He highlighted strategic brand development for artists seeking international success as a key goal up-and-comers should strive for.
'It's about being well-packaged. Always think about how you can package your brand as an artist. Have the right people around you,' he advised.
'It's about exploring new markets. If you're popular in Jozi, think about how to be popular in Lagos and then build your brand in Kenya, New York, and London. Today, we have social media and the internet, making African content and artists accessible worldwide. You have to take advantage of new media. '
News24 reached out to the BET award winners, who were unavailable for comment owing to the time difference and booked public engagements in Los Angeles.